Wilderness Survival Spring Second Session

Welcome to our fun and adventurous survivor challenge for kids ages 7-13! This program is hosted by Muskoka Highlands Academy in Huntsville. We are hosting this experience at Hidden Valley Ski Resort on Friday May 17th, 24th, 31st and June 7th 2024.

This fun 4-week program is designed to teach kids wild outdoor skills while learning in our beautiful outdoor setting. Discovering new topics and ideas to boosts our creativity and curiosity. This event happens EVERY FRIDAY from 9a-330p;

* *A detailed schedule will be sent before the start of the session**

This hands on workshops series lets kids step outside of their traditional learning environment to try something new and give them a boost. These are full day experiences in exciting and tricky outdoor environments that are designed to build self discovery and growth while having fun.

During the 4 weeks we will teach a wide variety of topics and ideas that fall into the following categories:

- Flint Knapping and Primitive Stone Tool Making - Kids will take on the role of a Primitive Stone tool maker. They will be educated on early stone tools used by humans and how they were made. They will then forage and gather stones and handle material to build their very own primitive stone camp knife.

- Shelter building - creating outdoor shelters you could sleep and survive in overnight (we won't be camping out) There will be several shelter designs that kids will try hands on in groups.

- Firestarter making and fire lighting without lights/matches - there are several techniques we will be exploring together and we provide all of the tools

- Basic survival skills - what to pack, how to be prepared, what to do if you are stranded out in nature overnight (we will be asking kids to prepare things from home to bring in to explore and test out together)

- Wild food and foraging - what to eat, what not to eat, how to identify the right plants and what you should focus on if you were stuck outside overnight.

- Introduction to Archery - Kids will be taught about bow construction and how our ancestors would have used these tools as a hunter/getherer society. They will then get to have practical hands one instruction as they learn how to safely use a modern recurve bow.

This outdoor program runs snow or shine. We will share with you a small list of gear your child should have to be sure they are ready for the weather. We believe there is no such thing as bad weather just poor clothing choices. Of course in the case of extreme weather (lightning and high winds, snow storms etc). We will monitor weather conditions and if we have to cancel due to extream weather the program will be extended by that week in order to accomodate.

Meet your guides for the day!

Jessi Priestly

Jessi is the creator and lead guide of our Wilderness Expedition Program. Her wildly curious & passionate nature is what allows her to connect so deeply with children and guide them into the world of wonder that exists in the forests and lands of our beautiful Earth.

Jessi has graduated with a teaching and ECE degree from the Concurrent Education Program at the University of Windsor, teaching play-based learning in different parts of the world, now settling in the abundant nature of Northeastern Ontario, where she has been practising mushroom foraging for the past 6 years and guiding educational foraging hikes for the past 2. Jessi’s dream is to dedicate her life & career to creating a new pathway for education, through nature, while providing an enriching and transformational learning environment for children to reach their greatest heights.

Members of Muskoka Highlands Academy team will be onsite to support these adventurous day. If you have questions please email Hello@MuskokaHighlandsAcademy.com.